Music producer John Armstrong has a goal to keep The Christmas Carol Project going until its 20th birthday – and possibly longer if fans keep buying tickets.
Armstrong takes Charles Dickens’ redemptive tale of Scrooge and aligns it with Edmonton’s top tier musicians.
Each musician plays a role and writes original songs based on his/her character’s point of view. For his 20-song set, Armstrong has nabbed a crack, nine-piece lineup and narrator to keep the flow going.
The cast includes Edmonton roots musicians Bill Bourne, Al Brant, Dave Clarke, Kevin Cook, Maria Dunn, Bill Hobson, Dale Ladouceur, Terry Morrison and Tom Roschkov.
The Christmas Carol Project plays Dec. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. at the Westbury Theatre in the ATB Financial Arts Barn, 10330 – 84 Ave. Advance tickets are $37.50; or $42.50 at the door. Purchase online at tickets.fringetheatre.ca.
Shakespeare has Romeo and Juliet. Broadway has Tony and Maria from West Side Story. They are tales of doomed lovers who through circumstance could never be together.
Two years ago it was the 50th anniversary of West Side Story and the musical continues to be as popular as ever for both professional and community theatre.
Now celebrating their 12th anniversary, Festival Place Players are mounting West Side Story from Dec. 18 to 30 at Sherwood Park’s Festival Place.
Jerome Robbins’ groundbreaking choreography, Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics and Leonard Bernstein’s unsurpassed score have kept this vibrant production at the head of the pack.
Directed by Shelley Tookey, the musical features a huge cast of 40 actors and 20 live musicians. General admission tickets are $24 to $37 and are available at Festival Place box office, 100 Festival Way or online at festivalplace.ab.ca
